Check out this article about two heroes, Sean Escobar and a young girl who came forward to confront child sex abuser Sterling Van Wagenen, age 71, founder of what is now called the Sundance Film Festival and a respected member of the Mormon Church. Wagenen admitted to Mr. Escobar that he had sexually abused him over 25 years ago. Escobar taped the conversation, released it and subsequently a young girl victim came forward. Wagenen is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 10 (occurring in 2013 and 2015).
Wagenen told Escobar when they met that there were never any other victims, before or after the incident 25 years ago. Escobar thought Wagenen was “probably” telling the truth, but probably was not good enough. Especially when you are dealing with a pedophile. There is never just one victim. Never. And it doesn’t stop when these freaks get older, either.
These two people are heroes. The nerve and courage of these two victims of Wegenen are in stark contrast the the true evil and cowardice of child sexual abusers. Every time something like this happens, it is a step forward in exposing how pervasive and insidious this crime is. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.